Desert, Sea and Diving

Day 1: Arrival to La Paz.
Pick up the Jeep at the International Airport and lodging.

 

Day 2: La Paz - Loreto. 267 miles.
Traveling north, you will ascend into the earth of the Sierra de La Giganta, to contemplate the mission of San Javier, a true architectural jewel, built by Jesuits in 1699. In the magical light of the sunset you will arrive to Loreto, the first capital of Californias, today a fast growing development.

 

Day 3: Isla Coronado.
You will circumnavigate Isla Coronado, an unbelievable habitat of Sea Lions, Brown Pelicans and Boobies. After landing on its beautiful white sandy beach, to explore the island and relax, you will return to Loreto.

 

Day 4: Loreto – Santa Rosalia. 122 miles.
You will parallel the enchanting Bahìa Concepciòn and its marvelous lace of white, sandy coves. Then you will visit Mulegè and its severe mission, on a river surrounded by thousands of palm trees and finally, after having explored a majestic cactus forest with the tallest specimens in all Baja, you will drive to Santa Rosalìa, whose vestiges of a rich mining past will bring you back into time, while you will stroll in the picturesque streets of the old French colony.

 

Day 5: Santa Rosalia – San Ignacio. 132 miles.
After crossing the volcanic area of Las Virgenes and passing through the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve, you will travel deeply into the Sierra de San Francisco. Volcanic in origin, the sierra hides an incomparable cultural and natural wealth: from small cactaceous with colorful flowers, to gigantic cacti and primitive cirios, the most unusual plant of the peninsula and unique in the world. A primitive tribe of hunters and collectors, the origin of whom is unknown, existed in this wild environment thousands of years ago. They shaped in caves and ravines countless rupestrian paintings, representing gigantic human figures, hunting scenarios, families and animals. All these figures make one of the largest concentration of prehistoric art in the world. After having visited one of the caves, you will rest at San Ignacio, one of the largest oasis of Baja.

 

Day 6: San Ignacio - Bahìa Magdalena. 257 miles.
Between the treacherous mirages of the immense Tide Flats, you will cross the Laguna on your way to the splendid bay of San Juanico, the green orchards of La Purìsima, the agriculture fields of Ciudad Constituciòn, up to Puerto San Carlos, on the edge of the immense sand dunes of Bahìa Magdalena.

 

Day 7: Bahìa Magdalena - La Paz. 170 miles.
The entire morning will be dedicated to observe the huge population of this practically virgin ecosystem, like Hermann’s Gulls, Cormorants, Ospreys, Blue Herons, Egrets and Storm Petrels. You will go ashore the barrier island, to explore the immense extension of moving dunes and, in the afternoon, you will drive to La Paz, the charming capital of Baja California Sur.

 

 

 

Day 8: Los Islotes, El Bajito.
In the morning you will sail to Isola Espiritu Santo to begin the first of the three diving activities expected in these waters.

 

Situated half a mile north of Isla Espiritu Santo are Los Islotes, two large rock islets one of which is a natural arch. Diving through the centre of this natural rock formation brimming with life one can expect to see dense shoals of silver sardines, blue and gold King Angel Fish and yellow surgeon fish amongst golden cup corals. These islets are home to a colony of over 200 Californian Brown Sea lions. These inquisitive creatures take great interest in those visiting their home. One can often turn to find the pups pulling at your fins, eager to play, showing off and turning circles around our comparatively clumsy underwater movements. The larger bulls become pugnacious and territorial during the mating season in protection of their harem. Underwater circumnavigation of these islands is invariably exciting and always visually diverse.

Depth: 15-100ft.

Temperature: 75-86

Visibility: 60-100ft.

Level: Novice

 

After diving, landing on a white sandy beach, for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon you will return to La Paz.

 

 

 

Day 9: El Bajo.
Second day of diving.

 

The seamount is located 8.2 miles, 032^o degrees from Los Islotes. There are three distinct underwater peaks arrayed along a three hundred yard line running 120^o – 300^o, the northern most rising to within 83ft of the surface, the central peak to within 52ft and the southern to within 69ft. The central peak, with its shallow depths and relatively flattop, is the primary dive site and anchoring location. This is one of the premier dive sites in the world for schooling Hammerhead sharks. Schools range from between six to hundreds traveling in a clockwise direction around the seamount for unknown reasons. While schooling, hammerheads are not aggressive, and reassuringly enough they actually appear disinterested in divers. As a seamount El Bajo is home to an abundance of sea life, mass schooling fish (amber jacks, tuna etc), octopus and the impressive Panamic Green moray; a colony of over fifty can be found in a small canyon. Aside from possible encounters with hammerheads frequent visitors to the seamount include; whale sharks and giant pacific manta rays.

Depth: 60-100ft.

Temperature: 75-86

Visibility: 60-100ft.

Level: Advanced Open Water Dive.

 

 

 

Day 10: La Reina, La Reinita.
Third day of diving.

 

A rock islet just north of Isla Cerralvo with a lighthouse. This site is among the most beautiful in the area. In depths of 80ft (25m) a large reef is found populated by gorgonias of all types, brain corals, large schools of brightly coloured tropical fish, rays, green, zebra & jewelled morays. This is a “must dive” site! This dive is subject to current, but is home to over 8 giant pacific manta rays.

Depth: 80ft.

Temperature: 75-86

Visibility: 60-100ft.

Level: Novice to Intermediate

 

 

 

 

Day 11: La Paz – Cabo Pulmo. 95 miles.

The old road to south will take you to the Sea of Cortez, passing by the ancient towns of El Triunfo and San Antonio, still immersed in their historical past, when precious minerals were extracted from the bowels of the mountains. After a short driving on a dirt road, you will arrive to Cabo Pulmo, marine national park, home of an important coral reef and your second enchanted base for underwater activities. In the early afternoon you will sail to the diving locations. Lodging in bungalows.

 

Temperature: 65°-75°

Visibility: 80ft.

 

Day 12: Cabo Pulmo - Los Cabos. 40 miles.

After driving across the Tropic of Cancer, the incredible trail that parallels the Gulf, will allow you to discover a majestic succession of isolated beaches, before it takes you to the picturesque San Jose del Cabo, access point to the tourist corridor of Cabo San Lucas.

You will have plenty of time to a beautiful glass bottom boat excursion to the famous granite Archway and perhaps to do some shopping.

 

 

Day 13: Los Cabos - La Paz. 89 miles.
You will travel north, along the Pacific coast, to visit the mysterious and romantic oasis of Todos Santos, on your way to spend one more night in La Paz.

 

 

 

Day 14: Departure from La Paz.
You will drop the vehicle at the international airport and check into your flight.